I’ve often wondered about the characters who spray paint the many rock faces along Newfoundland’s Trans-Canada Highway. What would possess a person to desecrate these geological wonders with indiscriminate scribbles and senseless professions? They’re not exactly random or spontaneous creations.
There must be some sense of planning involved? I can’t believe people just have paint cans rolling around in the trunk of their car, always at the ready to make their ‘tag’. Furthermore, it’s not like they exhibit any form of artistic talent. This is graffiti in its crudest form. Simple markings a Cro-Magnon might scribble; most often consisting of nothing more than their ‘mark’ and an enduring statement of love.
And that’s it isn’t it? You never see any profanity printed on the road sides. You never see a personal quote or an artist’s drawing. They rarely exhibit more than a single colour of paint and the overspray exposes their limited experience with a paint can. Their text is quickly inscribed in the darkest hour of night. Shy artists who are fearful of rejection or afraid to get caught in such a foolish act, yet still wanting everyone to know of their true relationship status – albeit in an encrypted form, most often providing a set of initials or at best, first names only.
Beautiful really. Young love with an emblazoned promise to last forever. Some might suggest that “love is blind”, so perhaps this should be an eye opener for all of us. Even in its most fleeting moments – there is nothing quite like the euphoria experienced in a new relationship. The anticipation of time spent together, new discoveries, smiles, fun dates and the hope that time will stand still. Make no wonder they make the time to share their experience – in fact, it’s a wonder they don’t use a chisel instead of paint. But that would mean less time together, eh boy.
Rock on kids! Appreciate the reminder and an opportunity to share the feeling.
